2012-2013 Catalogue

Biological Science [CAS] (Bachelor of Science)

Overview

Students can choose to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science through the College of Arts and Science (CAS) or through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). The courses that comprise the Biological Science major are identical for students in either college, but the colleges differ in their general distribution requirements. In CAS, students are required to fulfill distribution requirements by completing six courses from at least two of the following categories: foreign languages, fine arts, literature, humanities, social sciences, physical sciences and mathematics. In CALS, students are required to fulfill distribution requirements by completing seven courses including two in social science, two in humanities and fine arts, and courses in oral and written communication, and information technology. Two courses exploring race relations and ethnicity in the United States are also required by both colleges.

In consultation with their academic advisor, students will design a course of study that includes an additional twenty-six credits of advanced life science electives. From the advanced-level electives, students must complete twelve credits from courses with a statistical component, three credits that stress oral communication and three credits that stress written communication. Consult the Integrated Biological Science advisors for a list of approved advanced courses including those that fulfill the statistical, oral and written communication requirements.

Within the advanced-level elective courses, and excluding the BCOR courses, no more than eight credits at the 100-level may apply toward the major except with written permission from an advisor and not exceeding three 100-level courses. With an advisor's permission, biologically relevant 300-level courses may be applied toward the advanced-level course requirement.

Up to six credits of undergraduate research in any biological discipline may be applied toward the 26 credits of advanced electives. Only three of these can be taken for credit at the 100-level, and these will be counted in the eight credits allowed at the 100-level.

In their second year, all students are expected to meet with their advisor to map a plan of study for completing their higher-level courses. The plan will be signed by both the advisor and student and will become a part of the student’s record.

Students majoring in the B.S. program in biological science are required to take at least eighty-four credits of course work in the College of Arts and Sciences. This does not apply to CALS students.